Improvement in car-couplings



J. H. WIEHL.

Car-.Couplings- Patented Dec. 22,1874.

Lavera-0141 lll v Se x NrTED #STATES PATENT f GFFIcn.

JOSEPH H. WIEHL, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF HIS RIGHT TO JOHN H. WIEHL, OF LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY.

IMPROVEMENT IN CAR-COUPLINGS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 157,980, dated December 22, 1874; application tiled June 22, 1814.

To all whom it may concern: j

Be it known that I, J osnrn HYACINTH WIEHL, of Cincinnati, in the county of Hainilton and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Oar- Gouplings, of which the following is a specification:

The object of my invention is to provide an automatic car-coupling which will admit ot' the uncoupling of cars by a person standing at one side or on top ot the car, and which will also be detachable in case one ofthe cars should by accident be thrown from the track.

This invention relates to certain improvements in that class of car-couplings in which the sides of an open-sided draw-head have jaws pivoted at. their rear ends therein, the outer or free ends of the jaws being pressed inwardly by springs bearing against their outer edges, said jaws operating in combina tion with an arrow-headed tongue pivoted within the draw-head ot' the adjacent car, the uncoupling operation being performed by a cam arranged between said jaws, by turning which the latter are forced apart, releasing the arrow-headed tongue.

My invention consists in a draw-head and bumper constructed with a slot in each of its sides and a central horizontal passage, the rear wall of which is provided with recesses for holding the loose or separate coupling-bar, in combination with jaws or clutches pivoted at their center to the outside of the draw-head, their front hooked ends projecting through and llin g slots in the sides ot' the draw-head and bumper, and with links pivoted at their ends beneath the draw-head, and connected with links above the draw-head for operating upon the rear ends of the pivoted jaws by elevating the upper pivoted links, all of which will be hereinafter described.

Figure l is'a horizontal section through the coupling. Fig. 2 is a cross-section on line .r x of Fig. l, and Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-section taken through the center of Fig. 1.

A represents the coupling-box; B, the drawhead or bumper; O c, a slot cut in the sides of the draw-head for the admission of clutches D. D represents clutches, which are pivoted on each side of the draw-head, at E. F F are shanks forming the inner end of clutches D D. K represents springs, which are fastened to the coupling-bar by screw K, and serve to hold clutches D D together. Any other form ot' spring may be used for the same purpose. G is a chamber within the draw-head B, the outer end ot' which is beveled in the ordinary manner. Z m n represent notches, in which the pointed end of the draw-bar H rests to be held in position for automatic coupling. His the draw-bar, with the arrow ends I I. The shoulders on heads I are caught by clutches D D, and the coupling of two cars secured. The form ofthe clutches D D and arrow-head I may be variously modified, and still accomplish the same purposes, as herein shown. When a car with my improved coupling is to be coupled to one of another style, one end of the draw-bar must be made of the proper form to fit such coupling. In case it is to be attached to the comlnon link and draw-pin the outer end of H should have a link instead of the arrowhead.

By the construction and arrangement of clutches D D and draw-bar H, whenever the outer end of draw-bar H is carried sidewise about forty-:tive degrees the shank part of H will press one of the clutches D outwardly, and the shoulder on the opposite sideof the arrow-head I will press against the shoulder end of the opposite clutch D and open the clutches D D sufticiently to release the drawbar H and uncouple the cars.

It is evident that the exact angle at which the lateral movement ot' H will uncouple the cars may be varied by changing the shape ot' the clutches and draw-bar H I, and their relative position to each other.

L L represent link-levers, which are pivoted on the bottom of bar A. It is obvious that they may be pivoted at the side instead of the manner here shown, or in other positions. P P are links, pivoted at the outer ends to levers L L, and to each other at S. T represents a dog with ring K, and is designed for the attachment of a chain or other convenient means, so that when power is applied to raise the ring R the upper end of lever L will be drawn together. These links close upon the Shanks F, and the power thus transmitted draws a similar clutch, D D, and releases the draw-ber H and uncouples the cars.

The mode here shown of applying power to links P I) L L may be variously modified without affecting the mode of operation. The form here shown is adapted to be used with a chain or lever, and so attached to the top or side of the car as torender the cars easily coupled and uncoupled Without the operator entering between two cars.

The outer end of clutches D D are beveled, so that the wedged end of draw-bar I will force them asunder, and the spring, as soon as the end has passed the point of the clutches, will force them together and close upon the draw-bar H.

a is a cushion, to deaden the fall of' levers D when the power raising them is released.

I am aware that an open-sided draw-head has been provided with jaws pivoted at their rear ends, their outer or free ends being acted upon by springs, said jaws being operated to release the arrow headed coupling bar by means of a cam arranged between the jaws, by turning which the jaws are forced apart; and I am also aware thatjaws pivoted to the draw-head have been operated by a rectangular yoke tted upon the rear ends of the jaws, so as to engage with notches cut in their upper and lower edges, and with a pair of levers pivoted to either end of the yoke. By moving either one of the levers in an outward and downward turn its short arm will act against one of the jaws, and also move the rectangular yoke for moving the other jaw, thereby performing the uncoupling operation. Such construction of devices I disclaim.

Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s-

'Ihe draw-head and bumper B, constructed with the slots C and c in its sides, and the horizontal chamber G, in combination with the jaws or clutches D, pivoted at their center to the outside of the draw-head and bumper, and the links L pivoted at one end beneath the draw-head, and at their other ends to the links P above the draw-head, for operating the rear ends of the clutches, all substantially as and for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, this 17th day of June, 1874.

JOSEPH HYACINTH WIEHL.

Witnesses:

EDWARD BOYD, JNO. D. PATTEN. 

